Phoebus rolls to 55-7 win against Kecoughtan

Dave Johnson, djohnson@dailypress.com | 757-247-4649

HAMPTON — In recent years, one of Phoebus High's occasional issues — and let's face it, there haven't been many — was letting down with a big lead. Phantoms coach Stan Sexton is happy to see that's been taken care of.

With another big third quarter, Phoebus kept pressure on the accelerator and rolled to a 55-7 win over down-the-street neighbor Kecoughtan on Thursday night at Darling Stadium. It was a tough night for former Phantoms assistant Alonzo Coley, who is in his first year as the Warriors' head coach.

Phoebus led 34-7 at halftime after a 28-point second quarter. The Phantoms (3-0, 2-0 Peninsula District) began the third quarter with two touchdowns in the opening five minutes and added a third with 4:29 left in the period.

“I really thought we came to play tonight,” Sexton said. “We got better as the night went on. I really liked how we didn't let down. We still have a lot of work to do. We're not where we want to be just yet, but I'm really proud of the way the guys played tonight.

“We always talk about coming out fast in the beginning of the third quarter, and we've done that this year. I'm really proud of the guys.”

In three running-clock wins this season, Phoebus has scored 49 points in the third quarter. For the season, the Phantoms have outscored the opposition 156-14.

Tailback Tony Pittman rushed for a season-best 214 yards and four touchdowns. Phoebus' defense held Kecoughtan to minus-4 yards rushing — somewhat misleading because the Warriors lost 59 yards on two plays — and seven first downs.

The only problem for Phoebus came on special teams. The Phantoms had three point-after kicks blocked in the first half. In the third quarter, the kicking game went 3-for-3 on PATs.

“Special teams was sort of a sore thumb tonight,” Sexton said. “We're going to start working on that starting tomorrow and get it right.”

It was the Phantoms' 15th consecutive win in this series.

Phoebus wasted no time taking control with a four-play, 71-yard drive after the opening kickoff.

Pittman carried on three of those plays for 62 yards, the final 34 coming on a touchdown to make it 6-0 with 10:08 left in the first quarter.

Pittman scored his second touchdown on a 2-yard run with 11:14 left in the second period. The two-point conversion pass from Terrell Toliver to Richie Staton made it 14-0.

Kecoughtan (2-1, 1-1) got on the board in a surprising way — the forward pass. Nick Carrera's pass appeared to be almost intercepted, but it ended up being caught by Lawrence Williams for a 21-yard touchdown. Phoebus' defense yielded its first touchdown since Warwick's opening drive in the first game.